riffled; riffling
ˈri-f(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to form, flow over, or move in riffles
2
: to flip cursorily : thumb
riffle through the catalog
1
: to ruffle slightly : ripple
2
a
: to leaf through hastily
specifically
: to leaf by sliding a thumb along the edge of the leaves
riffle a stack of paper
b
: to shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix
3
: to manipulate (small objects) idly between the fingers
1
a
: a shallow extending across a streambed and causing broken water
b
: a stretch of water flowing over a riffle
2
: a small wave or succession of small waves : ripple
3
a
: any of various contrivances (such as blocks or rails) laid on the bottom of a sluice or launder to make a series of grooves or interstices to catch and retain a mineral (such as gold)
b
: a groove or interstice so formed
4
: a cleat or bar fastened to an inclined surface in a gold-washing apparatus to catch and hold mineral grains
5
a
: the act or process of shuffling something (such as a deck of cards)
b
: the sound made while doing this
Synonyms
Examples of riffle in a Sentence
Verb
He riffled the pages of the magazine.
Web research is convenient but doesn't offer the tactile pleasures of riffling through heavy old books.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
Highlight reels of 13 SEC quarterbacks Milton was the talk of the offseason after riffling passes longer than 70 yards at the Manning Passing Academy in June.
—Stefan Krajisnik, USA TODAY, 20 July 2023
Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 12 June 2024
Sandbars and rock bars and gravel bars could be broken down into a full taxonomy describing their size and shape and orientation: chains and traps, riffles and reefs.
—Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for riffle 
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Verb
Palm fronds riffled in the hot breeze as the sky darkened and the air smelled, mysteriously, of salad dressing.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
Highlight reels of 13 SEC quarterbacks Milton was the talk of the offseason after riffling passes longer than 70 yards at the Manning Passing Academy in June.
—Stefan Krajisnik, USA TODAY, 20 July 2023
Noun
On the water, target current breaks, pools, and deep riffles where trout will wait and ambush their food.
—Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 12 June 2024
Sandbars and rock bars and gravel bars could be broken down into a full taxonomy describing their size and shape and orientation: chains and traps, riffles and reefs.
—Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for riffle
Dictionary Entries Near riffle
Cite this Entry
“Riffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riffle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
riffle
1 of 2 verb
rif·fle
ˈrif-əl
riffled; riffling
ˈrif-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to form, flow over, or move in riffles
2
: to ruffle slightly : ripple
3
a
: to flip or leaf through in a hurry
b
: to shuffle playing cards by separating the deck into two parts and sliding the thumbs along the edges so that the cards are mixed
riffle
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a shallow extending across a stream bed and causing broken water
b
: a stretch of water flowing over a riffle
2
: a small wave or succession of small waves : ripple
3
: the act or process of shuffling (as cards)
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